**Breed Information**:
– Tibetan Mastiff is considered a primitive breed.
– Retains hardiness required for survival in high-altitude regions.
– Instinctive behaviors aid in survival in harsh environments.
– Coat comes in various colors and sheds dirt and odors.
– Shown under one standard in the West, but two varieties in India.
– Term ‘mastiff’ was given by Europeans in Tibet.
– Misnaming of Tibetan breeds by early Western visitors.
– Better names for the breed: Tibetan mountain dog or Himalayan mountain dog.
**Temperament and Training**:
– Uses livestock guardian tactics to warn away predators.
– Can run up to 20mph over short distances.
– Requires obedience and socialization training.
– Not suitable for apartment living.
– Prized for being a nocturnal sentry and guardian.
**Health and Genetics**:
– Breed has fewer genetic health problems compared to others.
– Some lines produce long-lived dogs, while others may not.
– Common health issues include hypothyroidism, skin problems, and cardiac issues.
– Can suffer from inherited conditions like demyelinative neuropathy.
– Regular testing for hypothyroidism recommended throughout their lives.
**History and Adaptation**:
– Originally used to protect Buddhist monasteries in Tibet.
– Phenotypically distinct breed bred as a flock guardian.
– Described as powerful animals with large heads and hairy bodies.
– Gained popularity worldwide since 1980.
– Nearly died out in England during war years but regained favor.
– Tibetan Mastiff adapted quickly to extreme highland conditions.
– Higher hemoglobin levels help avoid hypoxia in high altitudes.
– Genomic analysis in 2020 revealed EPAS1 allele from an unknown wolf-like canid.
– EPAS1 allele allows living in high altitudes.
– EPAS1 allele is found in Himalayan wolves and dogs.
**Cultural References and Additional Information**:
– Ten Prized Dogs series depicts a Tibetan mastiff.
– Max is the central antagonist in the 1993 horror film.
– Ulysses in the 2008 Christian animated film.
– Subject of the 2011 animated film.
– Mouse in the Dresden Files book series.
– Bodi and Khampa in the animated film Rock Dog.
– Tibetan names: Drok chi/kyi; Dok kyi; Seng kyi.
– Research on Tibetan Mastiff’s origin and phylogenetic analysis.
– Genomic analysis reveals hypoxia adaptation.
– Adaptive changes in hemoglobin function.
The Tibetan Mastiff is a large Tibetan dog breed. Its double coat is medium to long, subject to climate, and found in a wide variety of colors, including solid black, black and tan, various shades of red (from pale gold to deep red) and bluish-gray (dilute black), and sometimes with white markings around its neck, chest and legs.
| Tibetan Mastiff | |||||||||||
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| Origin | Tibetan Plateau | ||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||